Indianapolis Business Journal

A year after a $450,000 contract intended to help shape development for historic Indiana Avenue expired with no published results of recommendations, the city of Indianapolis has hired a new contractor. Taylor Wooten reports that longtime stakeholders in the corridor's future are experiencing deja vu. Also in this week's issue, Dave Lindquist unspools the strategy to bring broad clarity and long-range planning to an arts-focused campus in the Garfield Park neighborhood. And Marek Mazurek previews five topics that could shape the 2026 legislative session.

In the 20 years since construction started on Lucas Oil Stadium, every mayoral administration has explored taking over or facilitating the sale of the downtown post office directly to the stadium’s east—with each attempt failing to gain traction. Mickey Shuey reports that Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration are considering another run at the 16-acre site. Also in this week issue, Susan Orr explores First Internet Bank's role as opne of the nation's largest small-business lenders. And Dan Lee gets a handle on how much power IU Health's $4.3 billion downtown hospital (still under construction) will consume.

Proposals for data centers are sweeping into Indiana communities with greater intensity. And in many cases, residents are mounting staunch opposition. Marek Mazurek reports that three Indiana counties have passed moratoriums on data center developments even as some state leaders extol their virtues. Also in this week’s issue, Dave Lindquist reports on the surge in cultural districts across Indianapolis. And Sam Stall profiles youth leadership champion Dennis Bland, this year’s winner of IBJ’s Michael A. Carroll Award

The 3,000-square-foot customs office now under construction at Indianapolis Executive Airport could be a catalyst to attract companies to the LEAP Research and Innovation District in Lebanon and the Indy area’s northern suburbs. Daniel Bradley looks at the potential for creating an international gateway in Zionsville. Also in this week’s issue, Dave Lindquist digs into the latest efforts to revitalize Broad Ripple Village. And Taylor Wooten examines the challenges the city of Indianapolis is encountering as it tries to reform human resources practices.

Energy startup First American Nuclear created megawatt buzz this week when it announced plans to spend $4 billion and create 5,000 jobs in Indiana in the coming decade. As Marek Mazurek reports, that’s exactly the kind of thing Republican lawmakers hoped for when they passed a package of nuclear energy-related provisions this spring. Also in this week’s issue, Taylor Wooten explains why the city is raising the cost of some residential building permits. And Daniel Bradley features the family restoring the 191-year-old Wilkinson-Hull House in Carmel.

Budget-writing season has been especially difficult this year in many Indiana cities, towns and counties as elected officials grapple with the effects of a new law that overhauled the tax systems that fund local governments. Marek Mazurek reports that they’re still trying to determine how the changes will play out. Also in this week’s issue, Taylor Wooten examines efforts to save historic churches in the Indianapolis area. And Mickey Shuey explains how a Fishers-based law firm has focused its work on helping clients navigate sweeping reforms in college sports.

As Elanco Animal Health moves into its new headquarters campus at the former GM stamping plant, officials in Hancock County are still working to fill the corporate and manufacturing campus they are leaving behind. Elanco had been the only tenant on the 20-acre campus at Interstate 70 and State Road 9, which has five connected buildings and 224,000 square feet of office and lab space. Now, IBJ reporter Daniel Bradley writes, business, community and health officials are working together to use the space to anchor what they hope will be an agriculture district. Also, reporter Marek Mazurek writes about the controversy over nondisclosure agreements that local officials across Indiana have signed as they negotiate with tech giants over data center deals. And reporter Mickey Shuey talks with Holladay Properties exec Jordan Corbin about the projects the South Bend-based developer has underway in Indianapolis.

Indiana’s hospital systems could face hundreds of millions of dollars in annual Medicaid reimbursement cuts if the rates they charge to employer-provided insurance plans are higher than thresholds set by Gov. Mike Braun. Dan Lee crunches the numbers on Braun’s plan. Also in this week’s issue, Taylor Wooten digs into efforts to rebrand Indianapolis’ land bank and exert more control over how vacant properties are redeveloped. And Mickey Shuey reports that construction has finally started on a long-delayed war memorial in Washington, D.C., designed by an Indiana firm.

Carmel High School this month will host the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup, showing off its $55 million natatorium and a local program that has produced several Olympians. Daniel Bradley details how the facility plans to make an international splash. Also in this week’s issue, Daniel Lee chews on the potential impact of Elanco Animal Health’s new global HQ on downtown’s west side. And Marek Mazurek combs through differences in opinion on the statewide effect of a new apprenticeship model for barbers and stylists.

The staffers at the Mayor’s Action Center—the city’s front line for fielding complaints and questions—feel they are underpaid and underappreciated for the vital and stressful work they perform. Taylor Wooten reports that the workers have unionized. Also in this week’s issue, Daniel Bradley details long-term planning in Noblesville to revitalize areas beyond its resurgent downtown. And Dave Lindquist throws a spotlight on a persistent problem with public art—funding maintenance when pieces fall into disrepair.

Just as Hoosier farmers are firing up their combines for the fall harvest, ag giant Corteva Agriscience is reportedly mulling a split of its seed and pesticide businesses. Daniel Lee reports that the move could alter the company’s presence in Indianapolis, as well as the state’s agriculture industry. Also in this week’s paper, Mickey Shuey has the latest on the fate of the planned redevelopment of downtown’s Gold Building. And Dave Lindquist turns up the volume on the latest concept from the family restaurant firm that launched Clancy’s and Grindstone Charley’s.

The gap between women and men attending college in Indiana continues to grow in favor of women, raising economic and social concerns. Daniel Lee explores the reasons for the exodus. Also in this week’s issue, Mickey Shuey reports on the push to make Indianapolis a hub for amateur and professional rugby. And Susan Orr explains why a 58-year-old firm that manufacturers metal parts for the aerospace, medical and racings industries is investing millions in 3D metal printing.

Local entrepreneurs tell IBJ they are worried about the impact a dispute between the Indiana Economic Development Corp. and nonprofit venture firm Elevate Ventures will have on the state's startup community, especially for companies in the earliest stages of development. Technology reporter Susan Orr writes that neither the state or Elevate are offering many answers about when—or if—the conflict will be resolved. Also, reporter Taylor Wooten checks in on the Monon 30 project announced four years ago for the Martindale-Brightwood neighborhood. One apartment building has opened, and the developers say more construction is on the way.

Columbus-based SIHO Insurance Services is a small health insurer tackling the huge challenge of growth in the employer-based benefits market in Indianapolis and across the state. Daniel Lee reports that it’s taking on national insurers and scoring early wins. Also in this week’s issue, Taylor Wooten has an update on the progress made by the Indy Health District in improving outcomes in five historic Indianapolis neighborhoods. And Dave Lindquist sits down with local musician Otis Gibbs, who’s enjoying a career renaissance through his music-history storytelling channel on YouTube.

If you think of an airport’s baggage-handling infrastructure as its circulatory system, then you’d say the Indianapolis International Airport is about to get open-heart surgery. Mickey Shuey reports on plans for a $140 million overhaul that will occur while the old system lives out its useful life. Also in this week’s issue, Daniel Bradley runs through the challenges of selling an eight-figure estate like the one occupied by late Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay. And Susan Orr reports on the rash of cargo thefts as savvy criminals level up to high-tech robbery.

Elanco Animal Health recently released one of its best quarterly earnings reports since the firm’s 2018 spinoff from Eli Lilly and Co. Susan Orr reports that some of Elanco’s latest animal medicines have had strong sales out of the gate. Also in this week’s issue, Mickey Shuey explains how the NCAA is collecting information for a massive database on college sports fans to help with marketing and to connect with potential audiences. And Taylor Wooten details plans from Butler University to launch an engineering program.

Daniel Bradley explains how the city of Westfield plans to take advantage of the international spotlight that’s coming with the LIV Golf tournament scheduled for Aug. 15-17. Also in this week’s issue, Dave Lindquist explores how this summer’s Indiana State Fair is turning up the volume on its theme, “Soundtrack of Summer.” And Taylor Wooten previews new technology that the city of Indianapolis is installing to better manage street traffic.